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Steven Craig Erickson
1955 - 2020
Steven Craig Erickson
1955 - 2020
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1955
DIED
2020
Steven Erickson Obituary
Hamptonville
Dr. Steven Craig Erickson, 64, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020. Steve was born September 13, 1955 in Fayette County Iowa to Edwin John and Betty Harvey Erickson. He received his BA from Concordia in St. Paul, MN, his MA at Corpus Christi State University, TX, and his PhD at UT Dallas, TX. Steve, “Dr. E”, taught theatre at Dallas Baptist University for 10 years, and retired after 26 years at Saginaw Valley State University where he and his wife started an endowment for students in technical theatre. Steve loved playing guitar, singing karaoke - notably his dramatic and passionate cover of Candle In The Wind, and performing with church praise bands. He enjoyed theatre, humming and whistling his favorite tunes, and was an eclectic collector. He could be found greeting guests at the Tasting Room and was great with home improvements.
In addition to his parents, Steve was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Hefty; a brother, David Erickson; and his mother-in-law, Kathleen Srodes. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 12 years, Krista Marie Srodes; three children, Stephanie Christine (Erik) Pickelman, Joshua Torr Erickson (Danielle Johnson), and Jennifer Elise Erickson; grandchildren, Cameron Jay Johnson, Emma Mercedes Erickson, and Abel Edwin Pickelman; a sister, Marsha (Jerry) Bezely; a sister-in-law, Tauny (James) Zimmer; brother-in-law, Timothy (Nancy) Srodes; his K-9 companion, Brynn; nieces and nephews, Kristin Poss, Brent Hefty, Aaron Hefty, Drew Erickson, Ryan Bezely, Chad Bezely, Tyler Srodes, Kelli Srodes, and Caleb Histed; father-in-law, Paul Srodes; mother of his children, Debra Erickson; and his many friends, colleagues and students.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00AM, Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at Gentry Family Chapel in Jonesville. Burial will follow at Dennyville Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00PM, Monday, July 20, 2020 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to “The Steven C. Erickson and Krista M. Srodes Endowed Scholarship in Design and Theatre Technology” endowment fund - Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, University Center, MI 48710.
Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Erickson family.
46 Entries
Krista
September 13, 2025
Happy 70th Birthday Steven!
You still have my heart and I miss you.
Everyday, Everyway ... I Love You
Krista
August 2, 2025
Hey Babe, Happy Anniversary!
As you know, I still say Yes and Miss & Love You so very much.
Everyday, Everyway!
Krista
July 17, 2024
Hey Soul Mate & Love of My Life,
I continue to miss you and love you each and every day. I am so blessed to have you near me each day to comfort & support me in my day-to-day work and decision making. Everyday, Everyway IMY, INY and I Love You
Krista
July 17, 2023
Hello Darling, my Steven,
I miss you each & every day. And every day I feel your presence and support. I still say YES!
IMY, INY and most of all ILYk
How you can show support
Krista
July 16, 2022
Hey Babe,
Like the river to the sea
I will always be with you and
I’m just dreaming, counting the ways to where you are.
One hundred & four Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays missing you and I thank God everyday that He blessed us with 10+ times as many together!
I Love You, Everyday, Everyway IMYk
Krista
December 25, 2021
Merry Christmas My Love
Steve, on this the:
39th anniversary of the threshold of our soulmate journey;
14th anniversary of your down-on-one-knee marriage proposal;
1yr 5m anniversary without you in my physical life;
I assure you,
I Love You, Everyday, Everyway.
From the 1993 January meeting to the Padre Island Dunes;
To the 2007 Moreland Santa Tree “Will You?-I Do!!”;
To the 2020 Paradise on the Porch;
I Miss You & Love You
Everyday, Everyway
Krista
September 13, 2021
Happy Birthday Steven!
I miss You - my friend, my soulmate, my true companion.
The one my heart & soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again
and let the light back in
I miss the colors that you brought to my life
Your golden smile, bright silver laugh, those blue gray eyes
I miss your gentle voice in lonely times like now
Saying it’ll be alright
I miss You, my friend, my soulmate, my true companion.
I Love You - Every Day, Every Way!
IMYk
Krista Srodes
September 12, 2021
Hey Babe,
birthday 66 eve -songs, words
world on fire - no one could save me but you
never dreamed that I’d meet somebody like you
I never dreamed that I’d lose somebody like you
ILYk E-squared
Krista
August 2, 2021
Steve,
Happy 13th Wedding & 28th Soulmate Anniversaries! We sure did make the best of all our years together. So thankful for our broken roads that God Blessed and brought us straight to each other. I wouldn’t change a moment, I still say Yes.
I miss and love you so very much.
E-squared to my favorite Candle in the Wind, The Dance, Close Your Eyes and Tenessee Whiskey singer. Still looking up and holding on tight.
I Love You, Krista
Krista
December 25, 2020
Merry Christmas my forever love, I wish you could fly me up To Where You Are ... I am blessed with The Gift of you ... It’s Like I’ve Never Loved Before ... through Anastasia’s Eyes ... God Blessed the Broken Road we travelled ... And I Love You So ... In the End I Want to be Standing at the Beginning with You ... and I am thankful that you remind me ... You Can Close Your Eyes ...
Close Eyes
With every beat of my heart,
I Love You ~ E squared
Krista Srodes
December 24, 2020
My Soulmate & Angel,
I still say YES! I wouldn’t trade a moment or memory of the times and experiences that we have been blessed with and shared.
E-squared
Marsha Bezely
September 13, 2020
Missing you more than ever today on your birthday, dearest brother. I pray you are having the best birthday ever with Dad, Mom, Barb, Dave and all. You were such a beautiful light in our lives for many years but know you are lighting up heaven now even more. HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY, STEVE. Love, your sister, Marsha and family.
Judith Stork
July 30, 2020
I am a friend of Steve's sister Marsha and known Steve since they moved to Clear Lake, Iowa and he was in the 1st or 2nd grade. He was always happy and remember he would follow us around. He grew up to be a kind young man and fun to be around. He was very active in High School Theatre and remember some of the plays he was in. I am so very sad to hear of your loss. My prayer and thoughts are with all of you now.
Jay Menon
July 26, 2020
Was his former student, very simple, nice and funny, looked like and reminded me of my grandpa
Alta Dale
July 24, 2020
Krista and family:
So very sorry for your loss. You each are in my thoughts and prayers
Matt Erickson
July 20, 2020
From day one we had a unique bond because we had the same last name and just about every class I had him for he had to clarify to the class he had no clue who I was. Because of that we grew to become more that just student/professor, he was a friend, role model, and mentor. One of my favorite memories is the time comedian Steven Wright was performing, we were backstage hanging out during the show kind of doing security. In his dressing room was a six pack of Sam Adams beer, he looked at it and said, of course I will have one and took one to enjoy. I still laugh about that to this day. I was there during the transition from the old theatre to the new facility and the opportunities I was given and responsibility he gave me we by far more that I would of gotten any where else. I joked that I didn't go to SVSU for theatre, but am glad I found my way to that program. I always referred to him at Big "E" and I was little "e". I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your guidance. Rest in Peace Dr. Erickson.
Mike/Diane Dickey
July 20, 2020
Krista, we are saddened to hear of Steve's passing. Our prayers of comfort & strength & peace to Stephanie, Josh & Jennifer, and Deb
Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I will miss you, until we meet again.
Patti and Joe Chulick
July 20, 2020
We have and will miss his smiling face Midnight Magdalena. He had such a friendly demeaner and a gentle spirit. You felt like you knew him all your life. Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers for his family.
Troy Hendrickson
July 20, 2020
Candle in the Wind
Steve in my living room Winter 2019<br />
Troy Hendrickson
July 20, 2020
Steve and Krista at my home Summer 2019
Troy Hendrickson
July 20, 2020
Troy Hendrickson
July 20, 2020
Steve was a friend, a mentor, a father figure and a brilliant individual who impacted many important decisions in my life...including the guidance and confidence boost to do embark on my PhD journey.
In our lifetime there are only a handful of people who occupy such an important place in our lives; Steve was one of those people for/to me. I once gave him a personalized briefcase with the book "Tuesday's with Morrie" inside it, because he was a "Morrie" in my life. I will miss you immensely my friend.
Your charisma, quick wit, tender smile and twinkle in your eyes will always be present in my memories.
Thank you for making my world a better place and impacting the lives of so many others.
Tears stream down my face at this moment as I reflect in all of the amazing memories I have with you building decks, role playing movie scenes (and characters) and just enjoying a special bond filled with provocative and interesting conversations.
You were one of a kind.
Rest Well my friend...
Valarie Taylor
July 19, 2020
Im so sorry to hear this! Steve was a pleasure to work for when I was his secretary in Brown Hall years ago. He will be missed by so many! Sending prayers to his loved ones! RIH Steve!
Paula Dezern
July 19, 2020
Krista. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Marilyn Mason
July 19, 2020
So sorry Krista..Prayers to you and your family.
Mathew Easterwood
July 18, 2020
I had Dr. E my very first semester of college. He was funny, kind and passionate about theatre. I had his class the morning of 9/11/2001. I have never forgotten sitting in SVSUs black box theater waiting for him to arrive, unsure how to react or feel. He came in and said how surreal the moment felt and that class didnt feel like the place to be at such a time. He dismissed us and told us to be safe and with friends or family. Because our culture struggles with emotions, the word surreal has stood with me ever since. He knew that was the emotion; he felt it and gave a room full of young adults a bit of reassurance that that was what the moment was and that we were safe to feel that way.
I am sure that is just one of the many emotions those whose lives he touched have had since his passing or hearing the news, and I know hed want us all to feel it and everything else. His presence will be missed.
Eugene Mossner
July 18, 2020
I knew Steve when we were fellow members and friends at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. He was always kind to me and a fine Christian gentleman. May our Lord take him in His arms and bring him home!
Gene Mossner.
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
Kevin Rooker
July 18, 2020
I met Steve while helping Ric Roberts with the Summer Theater Camps as the staff photographer over 20 years ago. In 2005 I joined the staff of the theater department as an adjunct professor teaching evening theater classes. I have a lot of photos of Steve through the years. I just wanted folks to see his 'acting' side when Ric directed the children's show, "Honk" in the summer of 2003 at SVSU. I had hoped to get down to see he and Krista's vineyard and new life but that was not to be and I am lesser for that loss. Hope these photos warm your heart and bring back memories of the man we knew as Dr. E.
Stephanie Pickelman
July 18, 2020
Eric Gilbertson
July 18, 2020
R.I.P. Steve. Im grateful for your friendship over these many years together at SVSU.
Justin Berkobien
July 18, 2020
Steve/Dr E was a talented actor and designer. He was an encouraging director, insightful professor, and a good friend.
Geri Conner
July 18, 2020
Dr. E was an amazing man! As a parent of a scholarship recipient at SVSU, he made me feel comfortable and secure that my son would be well taken care of and have someone watching out for him at college. He will be missed!
Matthew LeMay
July 18, 2020
Dr. E. was an incredible mentor with a great sense of humor. The more time you spent with him, the deeper understanding of his humor you had.
He also had an expectation of excellence, which he fostered in everyone. Again: the longer the exposure, the higher the expectation.
Thank you for your greatness, your warmth and your generosity - as a colleague and as a director. Your curtain rings down on a life well-lived and well-shared.
Your friends carouse to you, good sir.
Dan Goodell
July 18, 2020
I worked with Dr.E at SVSU for several years. He always made me laugh. I enjoyed our conversations together and assisting him with his teaching when he need the video support. He will be deeply missed.
Jerry Dennis
July 18, 2020
Steve was a rare man. Humble and talented. Very kind and warm. We don't see many like him in our lives. Thank you Steve for all the good you brought into the world. We will miss you but your memory and lessons will live on. See ya at the next show.
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